The Biting German Satirical Drama Babystar Is Set For A UK And Irish Release
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Carl Roberts 
Metis Films announces Joscha Bongard’s biting satirical drama, Babystar, will be coming to UK and Irish cinemas this September. See the trailer and images here.
Metis Films is delighted to announce that Joscha Bongard’s biting satirical drama, Babystar, will arrive in UK & Irish Cinemas on 25th September.
THE PREMISE
Luca lives in a big house with her loving parents, and she has millions of followers on social media. She has everything a teenage girl could wish for. Except Luca has never chosen that life – being an influencer is a family business, and her parents make it very clear that although she is very dear to them, she must play her part to keep the sponsors coming.
When her parents plan to expand the family, a crisis looms. As Luca puts it herself, she just wants to be ‘special’. Can she remain the only ‘babystar’? Or is she as expendable as her last Instagram story?
STRONG REVIEWS
Having premiered to strong reviews at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival, Babystar has drawn comparisons to Yorgos Lanthimos and Ruben Östlund. In addition, it has earned strong reviews from Screen Daily, Variety, and others.
While satire often mirrors reality too sharply for comfort, Babystar‘s release in UK & Irish cinemas comes at a time when social media is under huge scrutiny. This is especially true among teenagers and children. In June 2026, the UK government announced legislation to ban under-16s from social media platforms including TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Snapchat. The bill is likely to come into force later next year.
The cast of Babystar includes Maja Bons (Everybody is F*king Crazy), Bea Brocks, Liliom Lewald, Joy Ewulu, Maximilian Mundt (How to Sell Drugs Online (Fast)), and Verena Altenberger (Tatort).
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
“We are all shaped by our parents. For better or worse, their values, desires, experiences, and habits live on in us. But what happens when that bond becomes a commodity? How do the dynamics within a family change when they run a business together, one in which the child is the star? And most importantly, how does a young woman find herself when she’s raised as both a projection and a product?
In Babystar, I explore the phenomenon of family influencers and, using a psychological and satirical lens, illuminate the depths of intra-family dependency. Building on my previous work, which also examined the internet’s impact on young people, I aim to craft a portrait of a protagonist that is deeply rooted in the zeitgeist, one that offers a sharp critical perspective on our prevailing attention economy.
We are now at a moment when the first YouTube babies are becoming teenagers, some of whom are publicly rebelling against their parents and questioning whether growing up in the social media spotlight was ever ethically right. Babystar anticipates and amplifies this moment to spark discussion, taking a clear stance without being didactic or moralizing. Because, as consumers, we all contribute to and reinforce the rules of internet capitalism.
I wanted to tell this story because I understand the intimacy and complexity of close parent-child relationships. As a teenager and an early adopter of social networks, I was profoundly shaped by them. And my time in the YouTube industry gave me a deep understanding of the dynamics of online platforms and the people who thrive there.”
Joscha Bongard, Director
IMAGES
Babystar will be in UK & Irish Cinemas from 25th September.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
